Report Says Chicken Racket Caused Terror Among Workers

June 14, 1934

groups where the influence of Union Local 440 was made felt.

Of Charlie Herbert, the report alleged, he is a type of racketeer and “would stop at nothing” to gain his ends. He is, moreover, the brother of “Tootsie” Herbert, who was recently convicted in the Federal Courts on racketeering charges growing out of a previous investigation into the poultry business, the report alleged.

Though the officers of Local 440 were changed, with one exception, on June 6, Charlie Herbert, the report notes, was retained as the union delegate. He was sole candidate for the post.

“The Schochets are in deadly fear of Charlie and his retention by the local is a serious matter,” the report concludes. Otherwise the change in the staff of officers, Mr. Simon opines, is one for the better.

The election was held June 6 at the local headquarters at 96 Clinton street.

Mr. Simon in his report makes certain recommendations for improvement in the poultry situation. He suggests:

1â€”That each chicken be identified at slaughtering with a plum baâ€”in the manner that kosher beef is identified or stamped.

2â€”That instead of Schochtim receiving weekly wages they be paid on a basis of a dollar a coop.

3â€”That the “speed” system in the Bron###### does not exist in other boroughs, according to the report) be eliminated. Under the speed system the Schochtim do not even hold up the chickensâ€”they are held for them and the work is performed with undue speed. Elimination of this practice, the report states, would provide more employment.

The report was taken under advisement yesterday by Mayor La-Guardia, whose office declined any comment at this time. A copy of the report is also being studied by Aldermanic President Bernard S. Deutsch, who likewise declined to comment.

Accompanying the report is a transcript of more than twenty pages of testimony at hearing conducted by Mr. Simon during the course of the inquiry, as well as copies of various newspaper articles on the subject.

When asked for a statement by the Jewish Daily Bulletin as regards the alleged charges in the report, Charlie Herbert, reached at local headquarters at 233 East Broadway, denied the charges vehemently. He said:

“At the election for officers and delegates by a secret ballot last Wednesday at the Great Central Palace, 211 out of 218 votes were cast for me. Two reporters, from the Day and the Morning Journal, watched the proceedings.

“What Simon said about me is a lie. I deny everything. I never harmed anybody. This has all been proven in court.”